Folder 12: Commencement, 1956-1957

Lieutenent Governor A. E. S. Stephens addresses the first graduating class of the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary.

Alvin Duke Chandler, President of the College of William and Mary, speaks with Jean Holloman, one of the graduates of the first senior class at the Norfolk Division.

William Frank Latham, Jr. (right), President of the 1956 Senior Class, had the honor of being the first student to receive an undergraduate degree from the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary. Alvin Duke Chandler, President of the College of William and Mary, presents Latham with the first degree.

Barbara Jean Tigg receives a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical technology from Alvin Duke Chandler, President of the College of William and Mary.

Boyd Sheldon Midgett (left) received the Business Administration Award and Harrry Hiram Knickerbocker (right) received the Monogram Club Award at the 1957 Commencement.

Mrs. Anna Akers, President of the Faculty Wives Club, and J. W. Grandy, Jr., of Grandy Florist decorate the college gym for the commencement reception which followed.

The Commencement Reception was held in the college gym following commencement exercises. Serving punch to student, Shirley Gedmin, is Virginia Webb, wife of Lewis W. Webb, Jr., Director of the Norfolk Division.

Commencement rehearsal, 1957

Graduation rehearsal was held on the morning of June 12, 1957 in front of the Administration Building. Arthur Dow (standing left) of the Social studies Department and Eliot Breneiser of the Music Department were in charge of arrangements for the graduation exercises.

Dr. T. Ross Fink, Head of the Education Department of the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary, returns to his seat after introducing commencement speaker, Dr. W. Carson Ryan, Professor of Education, Emeritus, of the University of North Carolina.

A group of graduating students prior to the start of graduation exercises.

E. Vernon Peele, Assistant Director of the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary, presents John Milton Brickhouse with the Cotillion Award.

Donald Parker receives his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with honors form Alvin Duke Chandler, President of the College of William and Mary.

The faculty procession begins the 1957 commencement exercises.

Fern Fitzgerald Harris receives her Bacholor of Science degree in Elementary Education with honors from Alvin Duke Chandler, president of the College of William and Mary.

Photograph of the first "sheepskin" four year diploma to be presented by the College of William and Mary in Norfolk to fifteen graduates, June 1956.

Lewis W. Webb, Jr., Director of the Norfolk Division, shakes hands with his son, George Randolph Webb, who received his Assosciate of Arts diploma.

George Randolph Webb receives his Associate of Arts diploma with honors from his father, Lewis W. Webb, Jr,. Director of the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary.

Ida Faye McMath receives her Associate in Arts diploma from E. Vernon Peele, Assistant Director of the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary, as Lewis W. Webb, Jr., Director of the Norfolk Division, reads her name.

Jean Holloman with her husband Bud. Holloman has the distinction of being the first woman to graduate with a four year degree from the Norfolk Division of the College of William and Mary. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology and graduated with honors.